Vegas' hot new tickets: Britney, Bruno and a giant wheel

Britney Spears new performance at Planet Hollywood hopes to draw a younger generation to the show scene in Las Vegas in 2014. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESY CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT

Las Vegas is constantly remaking its own image, which makes returning part of the fun. But few years in recent memory have as many changes as what we'll see in 2014.

A giant wheel, a brand-new luxury casino, Britney Spears and “Iron Chef” star Masaharu Morimoto are among new attractions and faces we're looking forward to this year. There's even a new roller coaster that promises to turn your world even more upside down.

Here's a New Year's a rundown of some of the hottest new tickets coming to Las Vegas:

A High Roller

Among two of the grandest openings of the year will be the High Roller observation wheel and the LINQ entertainment district behind the Quad and Flamingo.

The $550 million outdoor development has an eye toward bringing a youthful exuberance, and audience, back to Vegas in droves. The LINQ has begun to open in phases, including a new version of an old favorite, O'Shea's casino, which opened last week. It will also include nightlife such as the Brooklyn Bowl, which combines bowling, live music and a crazy party atmosphere.

Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar, which opened Wednesday for the New Year, features Mexican dining from Chef Ernesto Zendejas in an energetic atmosphere with a DJ, mechanical bull and a long tequila list.

The centerpiece, of course, will be the 550-foot tall wheel. Just don't call it a Ferris wheel. We made that mistake once. It will be the world's tallest, at least until New York gets its way and tries to build one bigger. The big wheel is set to begin turning by spring.

To watch the progress and find out more of what's going to be available, go to thelinq.com.

FYI on SLS

The other most-anticipated opening of the year is SLS Las Vegas.

SBE, which runs some of the top nightclubs and a hotel of the same name in Los Angeles, aims to bring a Beverly Hills experience at Las Vegas prices to spruce up the old Sahara. That may sound like hype, but from what we've seen so far, SLS looks to deliver on the Strip.

The first new resort and casino in more than two years, it's the first to brand its entire retail under one name: Fred Segal. SLS just announced the addition of Cleo to its restaurants, bringing the Hollywood culinary offerings of Chef Danny Elmaleh. The 4,000-square-foot Mediterranean restaurant joins Bazaar by José Andrés, Katsuya by Starck and Umami Burger.

The SLS hotel will have more than 1,600 rooms and a sports book that promises new betting technologies from William Hill.

Britney Spears new performance at Planet Hollywood hopes to draw a younger generation to the show scene in Las Vegas in 2014. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESY CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT
Britney Spears' news residency at Planet Hollywood hits full stride this year, one of the new events coming to Vegas in 2014. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESDY CAESARS ENTERTAINEMTN
Bruno Mars, who opened last month at the Cosmopolitan, continues a string of shows in 2014 at the new venue, the Chelsea. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESY THE COSMOPOLITAN
Bruno Mars opened at the new Chelsea performance center in the Cosmopolitan last month. His shows continue through 2014. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESY THE COSMOPOLITAN
The El Loco roller coaster, one of only two in the U.S., is expected to open later this month at Circus Circus in Las Vegas. COURTESY MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
The High Roller at the LINQ development in Las Vegas is nearly completion and should be spinning by spring. The final cabin was installed last month. DENISE TRUSCELLO, COURTESY CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT
Chef Masaharu Morimoto strikes a pose poolside at The Mirage during Sake Fever at the 39th annual UNLVino, April 19, 2013. Morimoto will open a restaurant at the Mirage later this year. COURTESY UNLVINO

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